MANILA, Philippines — VFS Global has completed the first year of its Trailblazers in Tourism Programme, helping prepare more than 600 Filipino students for careers in the tourism and hospitality industry through practical skills development, mentorship, and immersive learning experiences.
Implemented in partnership with the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), the initiative focused on bridging the gap between classroom education and the evolving needs of the tourism industry by equipping students with career-readiness skills, professional confidence, and workplace knowledge.
One of the programme's highlights was the introduction of Success360, an interactive board game designed to make learning engaging while helping students strengthen communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and professional decision-making skills. The programme also benefited from the participation of 16 VFS Global employees who volunteered as mentors, sharing industry insights and real-world experiences with aspiring tourism professionals.
Atul Lall, Regional Head for North Asia at VFS Global, emphasized the company's commitment to creating meaningful social impact through education and workforce development.
"Tourism plays a significant role in the Philippine economy, and we are proud to contribute to the industry's future by helping young professionals develop practical skills that prepare them for successful careers," he said. "Building on similar initiatives in India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, this programme reflects our long-term commitment to empowering youth and supporting sustainable industry growth."
The programme officially launched in April 2026 at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, where 172 students and 32 educators participated in career readiness workshops, professional development sessions, and teacher training centered around the Success360 learning platform.
In May, the initiative expanded to Taguig City University, reaching nearly 300 students from the Colleges of Tourism and Hospitality Management and Business Management. Through interactive gameplay and workshops, participants explored practical strategies for job hunting, workplace success, and long-term career growth.
To make the programme accessible to a wider audience, VFS Global and ASSIST also organized a nationwide virtual session attended by more than 100 students and educators. The online event covered sustainability, career planning, and employment strategies, followed by a virtual Success360 game session.
The initiative also formed part of VFS Global's global employee volunteering programme, Champions of Change, under which Manila-based employees received specialized training to become mentors and facilitators.
According to Lall, youth empowerment remains a key pillar of the company's Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
"Across our global operations, we continue to invest in programmes that provide young people with education, skills training, and opportunities to succeed. We're equally proud of our employees who volunteer their time and expertise to help shape the next generation of professionals," he added.
The first-year programme concluded on May 16, 2026, at the VFS Global Visa Application Centre in Parqal Mall, Parañaque City. The closing event celebrated participants' achievements while giving students the opportunity to interact directly with company leaders and gain firsthand insights into industry operations.
Mahesh Krishnamurthy, Director of Projects at ASSIST, highlighted the importance of strengthening connections between education and industry.
"Preparing young people for the future means giving them not only knowledge but also confidence and practical experience," he said. "Through the partnership between ASSIST and VFS Global, we are helping aspiring professionals develop the skills they need to thrive in today's workforce."
About VFS Global
VFS Global is a global leader in trusted technology services that support governments and citizens through secure mobility solutions. The company manages visa, passport, and consular application services for 71 client governments, allowing diplomatic missions to focus on application assessment while improving operational efficiency.
Operating more than 4,100 application centres across 168 countries, VFS Global has processed over 552 million transactions since 2001. Headquartered in Zurich and Dubai, the company is majority owned by Blackstone, with minority shareholders including the Kuoni and Hugentobler Foundation, Temasek, and Dubai Holdings.
About ASSIST
The Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing sustainability, social equity, and inclusive development through strategic partnerships. Celebrating its 24th year, ASSIST has implemented more than 500 projects across Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Africa, positively impacting over three million lives through education, capacity-building, and community development initiatives.
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